Lehr loader



13 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTORS W|I||am L.MNamara.

James MGFee. v BY l l M, M7 M ATTORNEYS` LEER LOADER Filed Aug. 17, 1942 unir u I I c u u n a u u c l n u n u l u :u

W. L. MCNAMARA ETAI.-

Dec. 11, 1,945.

Dec. l1, 1945. w. l.. MCNAMARA ErAL- 2,390,725

LEER LOADER Filed Aug. 17, 1942 13 sheets-sheet 2 William. L. McNamara Jarnzs Mc Fee. M, f- M@ ATTORNEYS Dec. 11, 1945. w. 1 MCNAMARA ETAL 2,390,725

LEER LoApER Filed Aug. 17, 1942 l5 SheetS-Shet 3 gNVENToRs Wllham LMcNamarc-L James McFez.

BY M /z su?? I l ATTORNEYS Dec. l1, 1945. y w. MCNAMARA ET'AL 2,390,725

` LEER LOADER Filed Aug. 17, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 A william LMCNanaara James MCFee.

ATTORNEYS Dc. 1l, 1945. W. L. MCNAMARA ETAL 2,390,725

LEER LOADER Filed Aug. 17, 1942 '15 sheets-sheet 5 55 90 g 5,3 96 v1 lll- IIIM\I\\\\\W.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\Y r n n sis I4 I3 l u n .SIA 2W |65 im". 2| D22 ,2 'g5 lNvENToRs Wllllam L. McNamara. James MCFee.

Dec.^11,1945. w. MCNAMARA ETAL 2,390,725

LEER LOADER l Filed Aug. 171, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 tg BY `"'IQS I @e LV1-vd, Mr M ATTORNEYS Dec. l1, 1945. w. L. McNAMARA ET AL LEER LOADER 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 17, 1942 Dec. l1, 1945. w. L.. MCNAMARA E'I'Al.- 2,390,725

LEER LOADER Filed Aug. 17, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 Vfl Fly lNvENToRs- William L.MNamara.-

James MCFce.

BY M, #M

l ATTORNEYS Dec,`11, 1945. w. L. MCNAMARA ETAL 2,390,725

LEER LOADER Fild Aug. 1'7,4 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 I NVENToRs Willlom LMcNamara James MCFee.

ATTORNEYS Dec. 11,1945. w. l.. MCNAMARA Ef AL y2,390,7 17-5 LEER LOADER Filed Aug. 17, 1942 A 13 Sheets-Sheet l0 INVE T RS BY ames McFee. n-112 W, M

ATTORNEYS Dec. l1, 1945. w. 1 MCAMARA ET Al. 2,390,725

. LEER LOADER Filed Aug. 17, 1942 13 sheets-sheet 1 1 l I NVENTORS W-dhom L, McNamara James McFee.

TWDNEYS Dec. 1l, 1945. W. L. MCNAMAR` T A| 2,390,725

LEER LOADER Filed Aug. 17, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 Fly. I6

. lNvENToRs William L. McNamara.

James Mcze.

ATTORNEYS 125` She'ets-Sheet 13 Dec. l1, 1945. w. MCNAMARA ETAL LEER LOADER F'iled Aug.v 17, 1942 llNvENToRs W||||am L. McNamara v James MCFee. BY M, 3&7 l n ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 11, 1945 LEHR LOADER William L. McNamara, Lancaster, Ohio, and

J ames McFee,

Camp Cooke, Calif., assignors to Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation, Lancaster, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application August 17, 1942, Serial No. 455,136

9 Claims.

Our invention relates to a lehr loader. It has to do, more particularly, with that type of lehr loader commonly known in the art as the pusher bar type.

In the art, it is customary to provide pusher bar lehr loaders for receiving glassware from forming machines and transferring the Ware to an annealing lehr. The articles are removed from the forming machine and are placed in an upright position on a belt conveyer which conveys them to a cross conveyer extending across the front end of the lehr. Automatic means is provided for transferring the articles to the cross conveyer which carries them in -a row across the front of the lehr. They are then transfered, a row at a time, to the lehr conveyer by means of a pusher bar which is properly moved to engage the row of articles and push them off the cross conveyer and onto the lehr conveyer.

In the prior art, the main movements have been imparted to the pusher bar by means of air cylinder and piston units. To operate these cylinder and piston units requires considerable air. This is therefore an expensive way of moving the pusher bar and is particularly undesirable where the air supply in the glass plant is limited. Furthermore, variations in air supply produce variations in the movement of the pusher bar. Another 'disadvantage of prior art lehr-loading apparatus has resided in the fact that the lehr loaders are not capable of handling a wide variety of sizes and shapes of ware and cannot be readily adjusted for different sizes and shapes of Ware. Other disadvantages have been encountered with the prior` art lehr-loading apparatus.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide a lehr loader of the pusher bar type which is of such a nature that it can readily handle glassn Ware of practically all shapes and sizes.

Another object of our invention is to provide a lehr loader which may be quickly and easily adjusted to make it suitable for use with ware of various sizes and shapes.

Another object of our invention is to provide a lehr loaderof the pusher bar type which isof such a nature that the mechanism for imparting the movements to the pusher bar is mainly mechanically operated thereby requiring a minimum amount of air. v

In its preferred form our invention contemplates the provision of lehr loading apparatus comprising a continuously moving conveyer which receives the ware in upright position from the forming machine and conducts it in a single line to a continuously moving cross conveyer extending across the front end of the lehr. Auto matic means is provided for transferring the articles to the cross conveyer in upright position and properly spacing them on the cross conveyer to form a roW of closely spaced articles extending across the front 0f the lehr. A pusher bar is associated with the cross conveyer and is moved from a position behind the row of articles on the cross conveyer into`engagement therewith and then horizontally over the cross conveyer. This serves to push the row of articles from the continuously moving cross conveyer onto the lehr conveyer. The pusher bar, when it reaches the extent of its forward movement over the cross conveyer, is then moved vertically and rearwardly in such a manner that it will miss the articles on the cross coneyer which are being moved into position in front of the lehr. The pusher bar is then moved rearwardly and. downwardly into position behind the new row of articles on the crossconveyer. The movement ofthe pusher bar is intermittent but is timed with the movement of the cross conveyer. Furthermore, the movement of the pusher bar is accomplished mainly by mechanical means.

The preferred embodiment of our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational View of lehrloading apparatus constructed according to our invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 isa side 'elevational View of paratus shown in Figures1 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the means provided for automatically transferring the Ware from the conveyer which receives the ware fromv the forming machine to the cross conveyer disposed in front of the lehr. y

Figure 5 is an enlarged tcp plan view, partly broken away, of the structure shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional View taken sub-E stantially along line 6 6 of Figure 5. K

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially along line 'l--l of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a top plan View illustrating the pusher bar moving mechanism.

Figure 9 is a rear view of the structure in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal vertical sectional shown View taken substantially along line I 0 1!! of Fig-- ure 8. Figure 11 is a detail, partly in vertical section and partly in elevation, of timing means employed for timing movement of the pusher bar.

Figure 12 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of the structure shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a view, mainly in vertical section, of clutch mechanism which we employ for controlling movement of the pusher bar.V

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line I4--I4 of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a schematic view, in perspective, of the operating mechanism of our apparatus.

Figure 16 is a top plan view illustrating different means for transferring ware from the conveyer which runs from the forming machine to the cross conveyer.

Figure 17 is an enlarged view, mainly in vertical section, taken substantially along line VI1--I1 of Figure 16.

With reference to the drawings, we illustrate a continuously moving conveyer I which is adapted to receive the articles in upright position after they are removed from the forming machine. This conveyer I is carried by a suitable supporting frame 2 and is driven in any suitable manner. The conveyer I is adapted to convey the ware to a point adjacent one end of the cross conveyer 3 of our lehr loading apparatus. The cross conveyer 3 is supported by a frame 4 and extends across the front thereof. This frame 4, as will later appear, supports all portions of our appa-v ratus. The frame 4 is so positioned that the conveyers I and 3 are associated with each other in the manner illustrated best in Figure 2 andr the cross conveyer 3 extends across the front of a lehr 5. The lehr 5 includes a conveyer belt 6 which projects therefrom in the usual manner. Our apparatus is not connected to the lehr 5 or the conveyer I and, therefore, our Ventire unit can be moved away from the units I and 5 whenever desired.

The frame 4 is made up of suitable angle irons and beams and is provided with leveling jacks 1-of the screw type on each of its legs. The cross conveyer 3 is carried at the front of the frame 4 intermediate the height thereof. To support the cross conveyer 3 a transversely extending angle member 8 (Figures 6 and 10) is bolted to the front vertical legs of the frame 4 intermediate the height thereof. The angle member 8 extends the full width of frame 4 and projects forwardly from the frame and carries a pair of angle brackets 9 (Figure 1) which are bolted thereto. The upstanding flange of each of these brackets 9 is bolted to a unit II] which serves as a support for the conveyer 3. VThis unit I comprises a pair of elongated angle beams I I, the Vertical flanges of which are secured together in parallel spaced relationship by means of spacers I2 which are suitably secured thereto at longitudinally spaced intervals. The horizontal flanges I3 of these 4beams I I serve as supports over which the upper flight of the chain belt YI4 of the conveyer 3 slides, it being apparent that the chain belt I4 extends the full width of the space between members II and overlaps the flanges I3 thereof as shown in Figure 10. The beams II extend a substantial distance beyond each side of frame 4.

The chain belt I4 is an endless belt of any suitable type. As shown best in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7, the chain belt I4 passes around and is adapted to be driven by sprockets I and I6 supported on opposite ends of the supporting unit II). The sprocket I5 is rotatably carried by a shaft I1 which is disposed transversely of the beams II (Figures 6 and 17). The forward end of this shaft is rotatably carried in a bearing IB secured to the forward beam I I. The rear end of this shaft is rotatably carried in a ball bearing I 9 supported by the rear beam I I'. The gear I5 is keyed on the shaft I1 and is maintained properly spaced relative to members II by means of a set screw 2B. The rear end of shaft I1 projects into the gear unit 2I.

This gear unit 21 has a housing which is bolted to the rear beam II by means of bolts 22. ThisV gear unit includes a bevel gear 23 keyed on the Y rear end of the shaft I1. This gear 23 meshes with a bevel pinion 24. This bevel pinion 24 is keyed on the end of a shaft 25. The shaft 25 (Figures 1, 2 and 15) is adapted to be selectively connected toor disconnected from a shaft 26 by means of a jaw clutch 21. This jaw clutch may be actuated by any suitable control member. The shaft 26 extends parallel to the rear beam EE (Figure 2). It is supported by a plurality of bearing members 28 (Figures 1 and 2) which are bolted to the upper surface of the angle member 6. This shaft extends the full width of the frame 4 and a substantial distance beyond each side thereof. The sprocket I6. is driven in exactly the same manner as the sprocket I5. It is driven by a gear unit 29 supported by the` rear beam II adjacent the sprocket I6. This gear unit 29 has a shaft 30 projecting therefrom which may be selectively connected to or disconnected from the shaft 26 by means of a jaw clutch 3l.

It will be apparent that when the jaw clutch 21 is engaged and the clutch 3| is disengaged, the upper flight of the conveyer belt' I4 vwill travel toward the right (Figures l and 2) when the shaft 26 is driven. On the other hand, if the jaw clutch 21 is disengaged and the jaw clutch 3I is engaged, the upper flight of the conveyer belt will travel toward the left when the shaft 26 is rotated. This arrangement is desirable so that the apparatus may receive articles from a conveyer unit provided at either side ofV our apparatus; As shown by dotted lines in Figure 2, the unit I could be positioned on the right-hand side of our apparatus rather than the left-hand side. The shaft'26 has a large sprocket 32 keyed thereto substantially midway between the ends thereof, as shown best in Figures 1, 2 and 15. This sprocket is driven by a chain 33V which passes around a sprocket 34 spaced below and rear-Y wardly of the sprocket 32. The sprocket 34 is keyed on a shaft 35 exten-ding from a gear unit 36. This unit 36 is supported on a horizontal plate 31 (Figure l). This plate 31 is secured to the frame 4 at a suitable location spaced below the conveyer unit 3. The gear unit 36 is driven by a second gear unit 38 through the medium of a shaft 39. Both of the g'ear units 36 and 38 may be variable speed gear units of a suitable type. The gear unit 38 is also supported by the plate 31. The gear unit 38 is driven through the medium of a shaft 40 extending therefrom. This shaft 40 has a sprocket 4I keyed thereto which is driven by a sprocket chain 42 that passes around a sprocket 43 keyed on the drive shaft of an electric motor 44. This motor- 44 is also supported by the plate 31. Thus, when the motor 44 is energized and either of the clutches 21 or 3| is engaged, the conveyer chain belt will y be moved continuously.

In order to transfer glass articles from the conveyer I to the conveyer unit 3, we provide a spotter wheel unit 45 at either end of the conveyer unit 3 depending upon the location of the conveyer unit l. In Figures 1 and y2 we have illustreted the unit 45 located at the left-hand side of our apparatus but it can be in position at the other side of our apparatus. This unit 45 is illustrated best in Figures 1, 2, 4,v 5, 6 and 1. The unit. 45 is supported on the end of a. plate 46 which is carried by the frame 4. This plate 46 extends a substantial distance beyond each side of the frame 4. It is supported by angle members 41 which are secured to the frame 4 and extend transversely of the plate 46. The outer ends of the plate 46 are supported by angularly disposed supports 48 which have their upper ends secured to, the lower surface of the plate 46 and their lower ends secured to the plate 31 carried by the frame 4.

The unit 45 comprises a vertically disposed sleeve 49 which has a flanged foot bolted to the upper surface of the plate 46 by bolts 59, as shown in. Figure 6. A vertically disposed shaft is keyed in the sleeve 49. The extreme upper end of the shaft 5| has a reduced portion 52 which supports a disk-like cam member 53. This mem.- ber 53 has a hub portion 54 which may be clamped to the shaft portion 52. The cam member 53 is provided with a cam groove 55 formed adjacent its periphery. Directly below the member 53 on an enlarged portion 56 of the shaft 5| is a wheel member 51. Bushings 58 are disposed in the hub 59 of wheely member 51 and around shaft portion 5S. The lower end of the hub portion 59 has a bevel gear 60 bolted thereto. This gear 66 is engaged by a bevel pinion 6|. A thrust bearing 62 of the ball bearing type is disposed between gear 60 and the upper end of the sleeve 49. A housing portion 63 is formed integral with the upper portio-n of sleeve 49. and encloses gears 69 and 6|. This housing can be lled with oil. It is provided with a removable cover 64.

The pinion 6| is keyed on the inner end of a ,shaft 65. This shaft 65 extends through a lateral Fextension 66 (Figure 2) formed on the housing 63. The outer end of this shaft 65 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 61 which is supported by the plate 46. The extreme outer end of the shaft 65 has a sprocket 68 keyed thereon. This sprocket 68 is driven by a chain 6,9 which also passes around a sprocket which is keyed on the outer end of a shaft 1|. This shaft 1| is dis posed parallel to the shaft 65 and is rotatably carried by bearings 12 which are carried by a plate 13. This plate 13 is supported on the lframe 4 (Figures 2 and 3) by the angle members 41 which support the plate 46. The plate 13 is disposed directly behind the plate 46, extending the full width of the frame 4 and slightly beyond the sides thereof.

As shown best in Figures 2 and 15, the shaft 1| is adapted to be connected to or disconnected from a shaft 14 by means of a jawv clutch 15 which may be operated in a, suitable manner. The shaft` 14 is. driven by a variable speed gear unit 18.v The unit 16 is Supported on the plate 13 inte'rmediate the ends thereof. The gear unit 16 also. drives a shaft 11 extendingfrom the opposite side thereof. A clutch 18 is provided for selectively connecting the shaft 11 to or disconnecting it from a shaft. 19. This shaft 19 is supported like the shaft 1| and drives a shaft. 88, which is similar to and supported like the shaft 65, through the medium of a chain and sprocket drive 8|. This shaft 88 extends into a, portion 82 of a housing' 83 which is like the housing 63. Within this housingr gears are disposed for driving a vertical shaft 94 which is identical with shaft 5|. This shaft 84' may form a part of a unit exactly like the unit 45 previously referred to. If the con'- veyer is at the left of the apparatus, as shown in Figure 2, the parts of the unit 45 will be in position as indicated. However, if the conveyer is at the opposite side of our apparatus, the members 53 and 51 may be removed from the shaft 5| and be mounted on the shaft 84 at the opposite side of the apparatus. When the unit 45 is in the position indicated, the clutch 15 will be engaged and the clutch 18 will be disengaged. However, if the unit 45 is at the opposite side of the apparatus, the clutch 18 will be engaged and the clutch 15 will be disengaged. The gear unit 16 is driven by means of a sprocket 85 and a chain 86. The chain 86- passes around a sprocket 81 keyed on the outer end of shaft 40 which is driven by motor 44.

The spotter wheel 51 will be rotated ony the shaft 5| by means of the pinion 6| upon rotation of the shaft 65. It will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Figures 2 and 5. As shown best in Figures 4 to 7, the wheel 51 carries an article-engaging member 88 at the outer end of each of the arms 89 of the wheel. Each article-engaging member 88 comprises a supporting member 90 which is pivoted to the arm 89 by means of a pivot pin 9|. The member 90 has a flat surface at one side of the pivot point 9| to which a blade member 92 is bolted by bolts 93. The blade member 92 consists of a straightr portion 94 and a curved portion 95 disposed substantially at right angles to each other. On the opposite side of the pivot point 9| the member 92 carries an upstanding roller 96. This roller 96 is disposed in the cam groove 55 of the member 53. It will be apparent that the member 90 is substantially in the form of'` a bell crank lever with the roller 96 supported on one end thereof and the member 92 supported on the other end thereof. The outer end of each of the arms 88 is curved and has a similarly curved Iarticleengaging plate 9'! secured thereto in upstanding position. The cam groove 55 is of such outline that asA the wheel member 51 rotates relative to thecam member 53y the member 98 and the members 92 carried thereby will be swung about the pivot points 9|.

As each of the article-engaging members 92 moves over the conveyer the straight portion 94 thereof will be projecting radially from the wheel 51 and over the conveyer belt When the member 92 is in this position, the portion 95 of member 92 will be in alignment with the two adjacent members 91. Thus, there will be no danger of articles passing between the arms 89 of the wheel. As the wheel continues to rotate, each of the members 99, as shown in Figure 5, will be swung about its pivot 9| in such a manner that both. the portions 94 and 95 of the member 92 will be disposed practicallyv within the periphery of the wheel 51. A curved guide member 98 is provided and has onefend welded' to a plate 99 (Figure 7). This plate- 9,9 is secured' to a second plate |09 which is fastened; to an angle member ll., The plate 99 bridges the gap between the conveyer beltv and the conveyer" belt |4j. It is disposed at the same level as these belts and is provided with an extension |02 which extends over the curved part. of the belt |4. as shown in Figure '7. The angle member ||J| is carried on the upper end of an upstanding support |03. This support |03 has its lower end' bolted to the outer end of the plate 46. The guide member 98 will be disposed parallel to the path of travel of the outer ends of the arms 89 of the wheel 51. It will vbers of` the frame. ends bolted, as at |'I, to the lowerY ends of bars be understood that if the unit 45 is at the op- -posite side of our apparatus, the guide V98 and plate 99, together with the supporting structure, will be duplicated at that side of the apparatus.

It will be apparent that the conveyer I andthe conveyer 3 will be rotating continuously. Also, the spotter wheel unit 45 will be operating continuously. As the glass articles are carried by the conveyer I to a. point adjacent the spotter wheel, the portions 94 of the article-engaging serve to transfer articles from th e conveyer I to the conveyer 3. As each article is pushed onto the end of the conveyer unit 3, the member 90'of each article-engaging unit will be swung in such a manner that the portion 94 of the article-engaging member will be swung inwardly toward the center of the wheel 'I so that it will quickly move out of engagement with the article positioned on the belt I4. This will prevent the article from being shoved rearwardly off the conveyer 3. As each article-engaging member again moves to a position adjacent the conveyer I, it will be swung in such a manner that the portion 94 will project over the conveyer I. The conveyer I will travel at a-comparatively high rate of speed. The unit 45 will operate at a comparatively high rate of speed. However, the conveyer unit 3 will operate at a comparatively low rate of speed. This will serve to position the articles on the conveyer unit 3 in closely spaced relationship. The speed of the units 45 and 3 can be controlled independently. The speed of unit 45 can be controlled by theA variable speed gear unit 'I6 while that of the unit 3 can be controlled by the variable speedV gear units 36 and 38. Y

The cam member 53, the wheel member 51 and the guide member98 will be designed for operating on articles of a particular size. If different rsize articles are to be transferred by the unit 45,

the members 53, 51 and 98 will be replaced with members suitable for that particular size article. The article-engaging portions 94 and 91 may be covered with felt or other soft material to prevent injury to the article.;

It Awill beapparent that as the unit '45 feeds the articles onto the conveyer unit 3 in closely spaced relationship, the belt I4 will move these articles into position in front of the lehr. The articles will be assembled, therefore, as a row of gclosely spaced articles extending across the front of the lehr. The pusher bar apparatus which we rshallnow describe will engage the rear side of this row of articles and will shove off the belt I4 onto the conveyer belt 6. To bridge the gap between vthe belt I4 and the belt 6, a plate |04 is provided which extends for the full width of the belt 6.

This plate |04 (Figure 2) is fastened to the forward beam II of conveyer unit 3 by means of screws I05 The pusher bar mechanism is shown best in Figures 1 to 3 and 8 to 10. It comprises the pusher bar 106 which extends transversely of the frame 4 (Figure 1) Vand is slightly less in length than the width of the frame so as not to interfere in its movements with the side mem- The pusher bar |06 has its |08. These bars |08 are disposed in contact with a pair of vertically disposed arms |09. The bars |08 are Aconnected to the arms |09 by bolt and slot connections I I0 so as to permitvertical positioning of the bar |05 on the arms |99. This adjustment is desirable to position the bar |06 to the proper distance above the belt I4, depending upon the size of the articles being loaded into the lehr. f

The upper ends of the arms |09 are rotatably mounted on a shaft III adjacent the outerfends thereof. `This shaft III is horizontally'disposed and isA carried within a sleeve I'IZ Whichserves to maintain the arms |09 properly spaced from each other. The shaft III carries grooved rollers IIS on its outer ends which operate on tracks II4. These tracks ||4 have their main portions horizontally disposed a'nd secured. to beam members II5 which project from the frame 4'(Figure 3) and extend over` 'the conveyer unit`3 and over the conveyer belt 9 of the lehrwhen our apparatus is properly positioned relative to the lehr. The beams IE5 extend rearwardly'the full depth of the frame 4. The tracks I I4 have curved portions III joined to upstanding portions II'I at the rear ends thereof. For cooperating with the tracks II4, each of the members I I5 supports on its inner surface a guide member II8 disposed parallel to the horizontal portion of the cooperating track |I4. This guide member IIB has a track section |I9 pivoted thereto as at |26. This track section II9 extends downwardly and forwardly from the pivot-point |20 and its forward and lower end rests on the upper edge of the horizontal portion of the track II4. The lower end of each member I|9 carries a removable and replaceable shock-absorbing rubber cushion I2I. It will be noted from Figure 2 that the upper end of member ||9 fits into the bifurcated forward end of lmember II8 sothat the.) members II8 and II9 form a continuous track section. The member II8 is spacedI above the horizontal portion of trackY I|4 a sufficient distance t0 permit 'the roller H3 to pass therebetween. Furthermore, the rear end of each guide II8 is spaced from the vertical portion III' of tracks II4 to permit passage of roller II3 downwardly therebetween. Itv will be noted that the rear end of member II8 is curved, as at |22, to facilitate downward travel of the roller around .the arm of this member.

The shaft III which carries. the rollers I3 is adapted to be moved forwardly and 'then rearwardly. During the forward movement' of the shaft III, the rollers will operate on the horizontal portions of the tracks II4 a's shown best in Figure 10. As the rollers I'I3 move forwardly on the tracks I4, they engage the movable track sections II9 and swing them upwardly. The rollers will eventually move past the members II9, when the members ||9 will again'swing downwardly into contact with the tracks |I4. Then the shaft III, which carries the rollers H3, will begin to move rearwardly. This will cause the rollers II3 to travel up the inclined track section I I9, which at this time will beat an approximately degree angle relative to the horizontal section of tracks II4. The rollers IIS will ride up the sections |I9 and onto the sections II8. They will eventually dropdown between the rear ends |22 of members llandthervertical .portions II'I of the tracks II4. Theywill be guided by the portions II'I downwardly tothe curved portion IIB of the tracks II4. `At 'this time the shaft II will be moving forwardly so as to move the rollers ||3 forwardly and the rollers will again traverse the same path.

Thus, the shaft I will move forwardly along a horizontal path, upwardly and rearwardly along an inclined path, then rearwardly along a horizontal path spaced above the rst-named horizontal path, and then downwardly and again forwardly. This will impart the same movement to the pusher bar I 06. In other words, the pusher bar |06 will be moved through a continuous and closed path forwardly at one level, 'upwardly and rearwardly' to another level, then rearwardly, and then downwardly 'to the original level where the movements will be repeated. This will serve to cause the pusher bar |96 to move behind a row of articles assembled in front of the lehr, as shown in Figure 10, horizontally into engagement with the row of articles to shove them from the belt I4 across plate |04 onto the lehr conveyor 6. Then, the pusher bar will be moved rearwardly and upwardly and then rearwardly at a higher level. The rearward move-'- ment in an inclined and then horizontal path will serve to cause the pusher bar |06 to miss the ne'Xt row of articles being assembled in front of the lehr on the conveyer belt I4, as shown by the dotted arrows in Figure 10. The pusher bar |06 will then move down into its lowermost position behind the newly assembled row of articles.

During the described movements of the shaft I I which carries the pusher bar supporting arms |09, the arms |09 will remain in substantially vertical position. Rearward swinging movement of the arms |09 about the shaft III, during the time the bar |06 is pushing the row of articles from the belt I4 to the belt 6, is prevented by adjustable stop members, each consisting of a screw member |23 threaded into a sleeve |24 carried by a support |25. These screw members |23 engage the rear edges of the arms |09. The supports |25 are carried by rearwardly extending arms |26 which have their forward ends keyed to the spacer sleeve I|2 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft III. Thus, these arms |26 move with the shaft III and, consequently, with the arms |09. Thus, as the pusher bar pushes the articles, it will not swing rearwardly. If upon the upward and rearward movement of the pusher bar, it did engage the glass articles being assembled in front of the lehr, it can swing forwardly about the shaft III.

In order to impart the described forward and rearward movement to the pusher bar, we provide a pair of sprocket chains |21 which are disposed adjacent opposite sides of the frame 4. Each sprocket chain passes around a forward sprocket I 28 keyed to a transverse horizontal shaft |29 and a rear sprocket |30 keyed t0 a transverse horizontal shaft I3I. The shaft |3| is disposed parallel to shaft |29.

The shaft |29 is rotatably carried by a pair of bearings |32 disposed adjacent the ends thereof. These bearings |32 are supported on a plate I 33. This plate |33 is disposed between the beam members I I and is supported by transverse angle members |34 which are secured to the members ||5'. The bearings |32 have guide portions |35 disposed on their lower ends which t into guides I 36 provided on the plate I 33. The bearing members |32 are, therefore, adjustable rearwardly and forwardly on the plate |33 in the guides. To accomplish this adjustment. and hold the bearings in adjusted position, adjusting screws |31 are pro. vided. It will be apparent that with this adjustment, the distance between the shaft |29 and the shaft I3| can be varied'. This will vary the distance between sprockets |28 and |30. Conse- Cllleltly, the tension of the chains |21 vcan be adi l justed readily.

Intermediate its ends, the .shaft |3| has a sprocket |38 keyed thereon. This sprocket |38 is driven by a chain |39 which extends downwardly through an opening |40 (Figure 2) formed in the plate |33. The chain |39 passes around a sprocket |4| of a clutch unit |42. This clutch unit will be described in detail, subsequently, and i's Sup-j-v ported by a plate |43. This plate |43 is supported by angle members |44, carried by frame 4, subfstantially at the level of the conveyor unitf3. Thus, when the clutch |42 is engaged, the sprockets |30 will be driven and therefore the endless chains |21 will be driven. K

The arms or bars |26 are pivotally connected to the chain |21 at oppositely disposed points ina dicated. by the numerals |45. These two points are in alignment with each other. The arms or bars I 26 are disposed outside the plane of the chains |21 and arefree to pivot about the points |45. When the sprocket chains |21 are driven, the bars I 26 will be pushed forwardly, will be moved upwardly and will then be moved rearewardly. This will move the shaft I I I and, consequently, the pusher bar |06 through the path previously described. During this movement, the pivot points |45 will travel through a path of the same outline as the endless chain |21. During this movement the rear ends of the bars |26 will pivot about the points |45 while their forward ends will pivot about the axis of shaft I I. Thus, it will be apparent that we move the pusher bar through the desired path by mechanical means only.

The clutch |42 is illustrated best in Figures 1, 3, 9, 13, 14 and 15. As previously indicated, this clutch includes a large sprocket |4I. This sprocket |4I drives the chain |39. The sprocket |4I (Figure 13) is bolted by bolts |46 to a hub member |41. The hub member |41 is keyed to a shaft |48. This shaft |48 is rotatably mounted in ball bearing |49 supported on standards |4911 which are bolted to the plate |43. Rotatably dis-Y posed on the shaft |48 by means of bushing |50 next to the hub member |41 is a hub member 5|. This hub member |5| has keyed thereon, at its end adjacent hub |41, a ratchet wheel |52. At its opposite end the hub member |5| has a sprocket |53 disposed in surrounding relationship thereto and which is bolted by bolts |54 t0 llange |55 formed on the hub member |5I. Suitable spacer collars |56 and |51 are provided on the shaft |48 to maintain these various members in spaced relationship. The sprocket |4| is spaced from the ratchet wheel |52, as indicated in Fig ure 13. The sprocket I4I carries adjacent its periphery a pivot pin |56. This pivot pin pivotally carries a pawl member |59. The pawl member I 59 is positioned in the same plane as the ratchet wheel |52 by means of a spacer |60 disposed on the pivot pin |58. The pawl member |59 is disposed adjacent the periphery of the ratchet wheel |52 and is provided with a ratchet tooth engaging portion I 6| onits one end. Asprocket chain` |62 passes around the sprocket |53 and serves to drive it and the sprocket wheel |52 in a counter-clockwise direction. The members |52 and A |53 will normally be driven continuously. These members will rotate with' the hub |5| on the shaft |49. The pawl |59 will normally be held in the position indicated in Figure 14, out of engagement With the ratchet Wheel |52. It will be held engagement with a cam portion |64 formed on the pawl member |59 at the end opposite to where the portion |6| is formed. Consequently, the sprocket |4| will normally be stationary while the members |52 and |53 will be rotated.

The pin |63 (Figure 13) is carried by a piston |65. This piston ismounted for axial movement in a cylinder |66 supported on a suitable support |61 which is bolted to the plate |43. The pin |63 is slidably mounted in an extension |68 of the cylinder which projects toward and closely adjacent to the pawl member |59. A spring |69 of the compression type normally forces the pin |63 outwardly so thatthe cam portion |64 of the pawl will engage it. A vent |16 is provided in one end of the cylinder |66, while an air inlet opening |1| is provided in the other end of the cylinder |66. When air is forced into the cylinder |66, the pistoni |65 will be moved to the left (Figure 13) against the action of spring |69. This will withdraw the pin |63 to a position out of engagement with the cam portion |64 of the pawl |59. Due to the fact that the weight of the portion of pawl |59 to the right of pin |58 (Figure 14) is greater than the weight of the portion thereof to the left of the pin, this will permit the pawl-engaging portion |6| of member |59 to drop downwardly into engagement with one of the teeth of member |52 which will be rotating in a counterclockwise direction. Consequently, the sprocket |61 will be rotated along with the member |52. In the lmeantime, the spring |69 will serve to return the piston |65 and the pin |53 to the original position indicated in Figure 13. The sprocket IM will travel through one complete rotation and then the cam portion |64 of the pawl |59 will again engage the pin |63 which will be projected over the ratchet |52. This will cause the pawl |59 to be swung around its pivot |59 so that the ratchetengaging portion 6| thereof will be withdrawn from engagement with the ratchet |52. AThereafter, the ratchet |52 will rot-ate without rotating the sprocket HH. Thus, the sprocket MI will be rotated through one complete revolution each time the pin |63 is withdrawn from engagement with -the member |59. Rotation of the sprocket' |l4| will cause the shaft |58 to rotate in its bearings |69. Rotation of the sprocket IM, as indicated,` will produce rotation of the sprocket |38 (Figures 2, 3 and 15) This will produce movement of the chains |21l to such an extent that the pivot points |65 will travel through one complete path of an outline like that of the chains |21.

The sprocket chain |62 which drives the sprocket |53 is driven by means,y of a sprocket |12 (Figure which is keyed on the end of a shaft |13 that extends from the variable gear unit 36. The chain |62 passes downwardly through an opening |63a. which is formed in the plate |43. This opening also permits the sprocket IGI to extend belowthe plate, It will be apparent that the driving mechanism for the clutch unit |62 and the driving mechanism for the conveyer unit 3 will always have a predetermined timed relationship. Any variations in the speed of the conveyer unit 3 will result in a corresponding change in the speed of the driving element |52 of the clutch. This is due to the fact that both of these units are driven by the same gear unit 36. Consequently, the movement of the pusher bar will always be in properly timed relationship to the movement of the belt lll of the conveyer unit 3.

Flow of air to the cylinder |66 to move the piston |65 is accomplished by means of 'anair line |16, which is connected to the inlet port |1|. This line |16 (Figures 11, 12 and 15) is connected to a valve |15. This valve |15 is supported by a support |16 which is secured to the plate |63. The valve |15 (Figure 1l) comprises a valve stem |11 which has a head |16 formed thereon. This head is adapted to cooperate with the seat |19. A spring |99 normally maintains the head |16 on its seat |19. The line |14 is connected to an opening I6! in the valve casing which is in communication with a ychamber |62 formed therein An air inlet pipe |63 is connected to the valve casing :and is in communication with chamber |86 formed therein. When valve head |18 is unseated, air from the main supply line |63 is allowed to flow to the line |16 and, consequently, to the clutch-actuating cylinderV |66.

The valve |15 is adapted to be actuated a proper intervals to supply a puff of air to the cylinder |66. It is actuated by means of a pivoted cam lever |95 which is pivoted at its upper end, as at |86, to the support |16. This lever |65 has a lower flat surface |31 in engagement with the outer end of pin |11 and has an outer cam portion |86 at its lower end. The lever |85 is normally vertically disposed. A timer drum |89 (Figures 11 and 12) is provided and has a pair of timing disks |90 mounted thereon. One of these disks operates the Valve |15. This disk has a T- shaped slot |9| formed in its periphery in which a similarly shaped screw member |92 is disposed. This screw member projects radially from the slot and carries a button |93.Y The button |93 may be set at any position around the circumference of the disk |96. It will be apparent that when the disk is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 11) theV button |93 will strike the 'cam- `inder |66. The pui of air will move the piston v |65 and withdraw the pin |63, as previously indicated. When the valve |15 is closed, the piston |65 will be returned to its original :position by' spring |69, there being suicient leakage off air from the right-hand end of cylinder |66, around pin |63, to permit this. Y

The timer disks |96 are keyed to 'a shaft |94. This shaft |96 is rotatably mounted on the support |16. A hub member |95 is also keyed tothe shaft. This hub member has a large sprocket wheel |96 bolted thereto. Sprocket wheel |66 isV driven by VVa sprocket chain |91l which passes around a. small vsprocket |98 which is carried byV the shaft 26 (Figures 11, 12 and 15) -In order to adjust the tension or the chain |91, we provide a lever |99. This lever carries a pin 26| on one end,

which is mounted in a clamping yoke 260 securedA to plate |63. The free end of the lever carries a sprocket pinion 262 which engages the chain.|91.' Swinging the lever |99 upwardly orr downwardly and clamping it in position will adjust the tension i of the chain.

As previously indicated, when the rollers H3"v of the pusher bar supporting structure reach the extent of Atheir rearward travel, they'drcp oli the` guides ||8 and downwardly onto the tracks H11.'v In order to eliminate shock on the pusherbar and its supporting structure when the rollers vdrop in this manner, we provide/,a substantially hori-` zontally disposed shock plate 203. This plate 203 (Figure has its rear end pivoted, as at 2015, to the plate |33 by means of opstanding bearing members 295. The pivot point 264 will be located sufficiently high to permit the required swinging movement of the plate 2&33 in a vertical plane without interference with plate .433. The plate 2(33 is located between chains I 2l and extends forwardly to a point well beyond the rear end of the guides H8. The forward end of this plate is turned downwardly, as indicated at 206. When the rollers II3 drop downwardly, the spacer H2, which is disposed on shaft IH, will strike this plate 203.

A vertically disposed cylinder and piston unit 281 is supported on the front of the frame d below the forward end of the plate 2533. The cylinder has a piston 268 mounted therein. This piston has an upstanding piston rod 289 which is pivotally connected to the lower surface of the plate 283, as at 2li). An air line 2II leads into the lower end ofthe unit ZI. An adjustable check valve 2 I2 is provided in this line 2l I. When the rollers H3 drop ofi" the members IIi, the forward end of the plate 2ll3 will have been swung upwardly to its uppermost position, by means of air supply to the unit 2M through the line 2I I. As the member I I2 strikes the forward end of the plate, the plate will gradually settle downwardly, the gradual escape of air from unit 2G31 past check valve 2I2 permitting this. Thus, the

Yplate 203 will serve as a shock absorber.

The line 2I| is connected to a valve Iic which is exactly the same as fthe valve H5 previously described. This valve I lia will be actuated by one of the timer disks |90. Since the timer drum is driven by the shaft 26, the speed thereof will be adjustable by lthe unit 35. This unit 35 controls the speed of the drive for the conveyer unit 3 and the clutch |132, as previously described, as well as the timer unit. Thus, rall of these various units will operate in a predetermined timed relationship. Any variation in lthe speed of one unit will result in the variation of the speed of the other units.

In Figures 16 and 1'?, we show diierent means for feeding the articles from the conveyer unit I to the conveyer unit 3. This means comprises a rotatable table unit 45d which is driven substantially the same as the spotter wheel unit 45 and which can be mounted at either side of our apparatus, depending upon the position of the conveyer unit I. This table 5a is disposed at the same level as the'conveyers l and 3. It ts over the upper end of a shaft 5Ia and is, provided with a cap 5Ib. This cap carries a screw 5Ic which engages the upper end of shaft 5 Ia and by means of which the level of tablella may be accurately adjusted. Around the hub of member 65a a pulley member 5Id is provided. The shaft 5Ia is rotatably mounted in a sleeve 49a. A gear 50a rests on the upper end of this sleeve and is splined to member 45a, as at Stb. The gear 60a is driven substantially the same as gear 6U previously referred sto. A belt 5Ie, formed of an endless coil spring, passes around pulley EId and around a small pulley 5H disposed over conveyer 3. This pulley 5I f is .carried on the outer end of an arm 5Ig which carries a pin on its other end rotatably disposed in a clamping collar 5 Ih. The member 5Ig is provided with an adjusting handle `5Iz'. A curved guide 93sL is provided `which extends along conveyer I, substantially tangential to member 45a, and then over the conveyer 3. This guide has one end pivoted to unit I as at 98o and its other end adjustably connected to unit lI by a pin and slot connection 98e. The guide-98a may be swung toward or away from member 5| d and held in adjusted position.

98a by swinging lever SIb, by means of handle 5h, around its pivot point to move the pulley Elf into the desired position. The clamp EIh may be tightened to hold it in this position. These adjustments provide means for adjusting the unit 45a in accordance with different size articles. If the articles vary too much in size, the member 5Id may be replaced with a different size member.

It will be apparent that the articles will be fed from the conveyer I onto the rotating table 45a and then onto the conveyer 3. The moving belt 5Ie `will aid in moving the articles from table 45a to conveyer 3 and will prevent tipping of the articles due to their contact with guide 98a.

It will be apparent from the above description that we have provided a lehr loader of such a nature that it can readily handle glassware of practically all shapes and sizes. It is of such a nature that the mechanism for imparting the movement to the pusher bar is entirely mechanically operated thereby requiring a minimum amount of air which is used merely as a control means and not as power means for operating the pusher bar. Y

Various other advantages will be apparent from the preceding description, the drawings and the `following claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is: y

1. A lehr loader of the pusher bar type ,comlprising a supporting frame, a cross conveyer mounted on said frame, means carried by the frame for driving said cross conveyer continuously, a pusher bar extending longitudinally of said conveyer, means for supporting said pusher bar for movement in a closed path transversely of the conveyer whereby the bar will move behind a row of articles and push them transversely olf the conveyer, said means including trackways supported by the frame and rollers which support said pusher bar and operate on said trackways, said trackways each comprising a horizontal lower portion and a horizontal upper portion disposed in spaced relationship, said upper portion being shorter than the lower portion, a pivoted track section having its upper end pivoted to the forward end of said upper portion and its lower end resting on the lower portion, said lower portion having a vertical section adjacent its rear end spaced from the rear end of the upper portion, means including endless chains for moving said rollers along said trackways, and means for connecting said rollers to said chains.

2. A lehr loader of the pusher bar type comprising a supporting frame, a horizontally disposed cross conveyer mounted on said frame adjacent the front end thereof, means carried by the frame for driving said cross conveyer continuously, a horizontally disposed pusher bar extending longitudinally of said conveyer, a carriage from which said pusher bar is suspended, said carriage including rollers, trackways supported on said frame and extending over said cross conveyer at a point spaced a substantial distance thereabove, said rollers operating on said trackways, said trackways comprising horizontal lower portions and horizontal upper portions disposed in spaced relationship, the upper portions being shorter than the lower portions,

The belt 5Ie` may be adjusted toward or away from member 

